As most readers know, I have back pain due to dislocated discs.  I have scheduled a second diagnostic test on the end of the month.  If this turns out favorable the insurance company will likely approve the treatment called RFA. Briefly, this short circuits the nerve with a jolt of radio energy stopping the pain signals.

This is only backup information which I have shared with some, not all. A main result of the back pain is that I am now limited to what I can physically do.  Moving/relocating furniture is a task that is very difficult and painful.

A few weeks ago I went shopping the day prior to my first diagnostic test to get that out-of-the-way.  I noticed a nice looking patio set at a Smith’s super market but it would be too much physically for me and I would need a truck to take a set home.  Fortunately for me, Tom, my neighbor, had a rental truck while his car was being repaired from an accident.  He took me to the surgery center for my first test and I asked if he could help the next day with the patio set and he said he could, it was the last day he would have the truck.

Since I did like the set, this was my last chance to buy, so I bought two sets.  One was the display model and one in the warehouse, no more after that. I bought both with a bit of a discount for the display model.

We had our yard landscaped at least 10 years ago and the patio was the largest expense.  They knocked out a small concrete patio and replaced and enlarged it with sandstone flagstones. It did look nice but was hardly ever used.  we did have a used table about 5′ round and some Target chairs.  We used it so rarely that the table had to have a thorough cleaning first prior to use due to the dust, and the chairs were not so comfortable.  I put them out on trash day for the scavengers to pick up as I put a FREE sign on them.  This worked.

Tom and I (mostly Tom as he is in good shape) brought the boxed set home and put it in the garage.  Another trip and we hauled the display set and put it on the patio. Here is the finished result. The chairs are a bit close, but I need some room to walk.  I put a low-wattage LED bulb in the light and that works well enough to see, but is not intrusive. I have had breakfast on the patio a few times, and even with temps about 95, but low humidity it is very comfortable in the evening with only moonlight.  If we only had something like this when we put the patio in. Oh well, what the hell.

My landscaper very quickly unpacked and assembled the other set.  I had opened the box and checked with the parts invoice, but assembly was too much.  My landscaper had some power tools and was able to assemble in very short order.  He is very good, an all around handyman.

Another furniture project was to remove a dining room bureau that we bought at a closeout of a store in Allentown maybe 1970.  It has been very useful to us when we had a family, and after Marge’s death, my children and some of her nieces took quite a bit of dinnerware, silver, etc. I went through it again and moved what remained into some empty shelves in what was Marge’s dresser.  I just wanted to get rid of the bureau to free the space and did not want to hassle for nickels and dimes from a Craigslist sale.  I asked the landscaper if he knew of a need for it and one of his helpers did, but they couldn’t take it that day, so we set a time.

As you can see it is in pretty good condition but probably outdated in style today, so the helper got something he could use, and I got some freed space. Win-win.

Next to go were two mismatched lamps, one having a bad switch.  A FREE sign on trash day did the job.  Next to go were two sets of Laz-Z-Boy recliners. The first set we bought in 1989 after Marge’s mom’s funeral.  She had one of these and Marge really liked it, so we bought a set and put them in what was then our TV room in our first house here.  They wore very well but were somewhat dated now. The other set above we got at Marge’s request in about 2009.  They were nice and as Marge’s cancer worsened, they were a living space for her. The cats scratched them a bit and I did use one, but it was heavy and not really needed.  I decided to slide them outside and put a FREE ad on Craigslist as well as a local service, very similar. My ad said no phone calls, first come gets what he wants and they will be curbside at my house.  That worked very well and I hope they did find a new home with someone who could use the chairs. I think so.

My next task was to position the furniture in our front room. This took a couple of tries but I think I got it now.  Almost all of the pictures and photos had to be repositioned also.  I framed and mounted two photos of mine as well to fill some awkward empty space.

Most of the wall art has at least a touch of blue to pick up the furniture color.  The large autumn landscape has been with us since about 1966. We bought the house in Vestal in 1965 with mostly hand-me-down furniture from our wedding in 1960. We got some 60-ish furniture from Sears and wanted a picture over our couch.  Binghamton had a consignment art store and we thought this one was the right size and was very representative of the area in fall.  I bought and assembled the etagere lamp in the middle of the window. It has 3 shelves under the light and I put an arrangement of blue ceramic ware of Marge’s that was in different places.  It took a few days to get things done the way I thought best but worth the time.

The library is adjacent to this room, and since the shelving is built-in, not much room for change.  I did reposition Marge’s grandfather’s bentwood chair with a dimmable lamp next to it. Leaning back in it is quite comfortable.

Finally the living room above.  Juan, My landscaper came when we agreed but had no helper, so one of Juan’s sons helped.  They also helped move out the living room furniture in my now empty living room.  Originally, we bought two sets of furniture from a friend of Marge who was part owner of a family furniture store.  This was about 1972, I had good reviews and salary increases and we bought a new home in Jan 1970.

Beverley Hills Home looking up at the dining room bay window

Our plan was to keep them till our girls grew up, give the LR sets to them, and get new for ourselves. Ingrid was willing to do this, not Louise but she did take an oak dining table and its chairs. That has worked fine.

The furniture is what was then called “Early American” it has been reupholstered many times, the last about 3 years ago. Not now in vogue, though the wood does go with the end tables and shelving I made. The walnut coffee table Marge’s Dad made for us in 1960. The antique oak “library table”  I spent untold hours refinishing perhaps in 1962. I think the mirror is the same vintage.  These were from Marge’s Mom after we married. All in all, everything is functional, easy to handle and both couches can easily be made into cots for guests if needed.

This has been fun for me. Removing furniture that is no longer useable to me at this time and replacing with family heirlooms and Smith’s finest furniture has been satisfying.  I have made and/or refinished much of furniture I own and with them, good memories of my past.